Apprentice Optical Assistant
Alexis
Alexis is our apprentice optical assistant, currently training towards her optical qualification and bringing fresh enthusiasm to the practice every day. She works across dispensing and reception, learning the full scope of optical practice from the ground up alongside our experienced team.
She's already making a fantastic impression with patients and colleagues alike — and as the team's unofficial DJ, she's also responsible for keeping our playlist cool and current.
Podiatrist
Lesley brings a wealth of healthcare experience to her podiatry work, having trained and practised as a nurse before qualifying as a podiatrist. This clinical background gives her a holistic perspective on patient care that goes beyond foot health alone — particularly valuable for patients with diabetes, circulatory conditions, or complex medical histories where foot care is critical.
Lesley splits her time between practice-based appointments and home visits, ensuring that patients who find it difficult to travel can still access high-quality podiatry care.
Outside work, she's an enthusiastic traveller and fitness devotee — always on the move.
Lesley
Podiatrist
Claire is the newest member of our podiatry team and has hit the ground running from day one. A passionate and dedicated practitioner, Claire brings energy and clinical enthusiasm to her work and is already earning the trust and appreciation of patients at the practice.
With podiatry at the centre of her professional life, Claire is committed to delivering the same high standard of care that Morgan Podiatry and Thompson & Hardwick are known for across all of its services. We're delighted to have her on board and look forward to her growing with the team.
Claire
Our Diagnostic Technology
From detailed images of the anterior eye and cornea to in-depth views of the back of the eye, we’ve got it all covered. Our advanced imaging allows for quicker diagnoses and more effective long-term monitoring of your eye health.
Photography
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OCT captures high-resolution cross-sectional images of the retina, other eye structures, providing precise analysis of eye structures. OCTA takes it further by visualizing blood flow within the retina, enabling the early detection of vascular-related eye diseases.
OCT & OCTa
Corneal topography, often referred to as digital eye mapping, creates a detailed 3D map of the cornea’s surface. This precise mapping helps in diagnosing corneal conditions, fitting contact lenses, and planning surgeries like LASIK, ensuring tailored and effective eye care.
Topography
From at home AI visual field testing to digital heart scans from a picture of the back of your eye, we have incorporated AI diagnostics to our clinics to aid the efficiency of our health checks.
AI Diagnostics
Adrian
Dispensing Manager
Adrian is our Dispensing Optician with over 25 years of experience in optics. His career began in the lens laboratory — giving him a depth of technical knowledge about lens manufacture, optical performance, and frame fitting that goes well beyond the typical high street. As Dispensing Manager, Adrian oversees the full eyewear journey from prescription to finished spectacles, ensuring every patient leaves with lenses that perform as well as they look.
Adrian's expertise is particularly valuable for complex prescriptions, precision frame adjustments, and patients who have struggled to adapt to lenses elsewhere.
Outside the practice, Adrian tends to his allotment, looks after his chickens, and has a longstanding love of punk music.
Alison
Front Desk Dynamo
Alison is the organisational heartbeat of Thompson & Hardwick, keeping appointments, patient records, and the day-to-day running of the practice running with quiet efficiency. With years of experience at the front desk, she's the first voice many of our patients hear and sets the tone for every visit.
Outside the practice, Alison is devoted to her large family and loves travelling to visit them wherever they are in the world — though she'll freely admit her musical tastes lean firmly towards Cliff Richard.
Jill
Reception Rockstar
Jill brings a sharp eye for detail and a high standard of organisation to the front desk — qualities she honed during her time in the armed forces. The practice runs smoothly in no small part because of Jill's commitment to keeping things tidy, efficient, and welcoming for every patient who walks through the door.
Outside work, Jill is a talented artist, dedicated grandmother, and enthusiastic crafter.
Visual Field Defender
Jo plays a vital role in our NHS glaucoma monitoring service, coordinating patient care and ensuring that those on our monitoring programme receive their six-monthly check-ups on schedule. Her attention to detail and calm, caring manner make her a reassuring presence for patients managing long-term eye conditions.
Alongside her clinical coordination role, Jo manages our front desk with efficiency and warmth — keeping appointments, patients, and the team running smoothly.
Outside work, Jo is a festival enthusiast, a vintage clothes collector, and a talented writer with several published articles to her name.
Jo
Drew
Optometrist Director & Independent Prescriber
Drew qualified as an optometrist in 2001 and joined Thompson & Hardwick in 2003, becoming Director in 2019. He holds Independent Prescriber (IP) status — a postgraduate qualification that allows him to diagnose and prescribe treatment for eye conditions without the need for a GP referral. He is one of only a small number of IP-qualified optometrists on the Fylde Coast.
Drew has a specialist clinical interest in keratoconus, irregular corneas, and advanced contact lens fitting, and has volunteered with the cornea team at Blackpool Victoria Hospital alongside his work at the practice. He leads our myopia management clinic and has helped hundreds of children on the Fylde Coast slow the progression of their short-sightedness.
Outside the practice, Drew is a family man who enjoys climbing walls with his daughter, cheering his son on at football, and a keen interest in 3D printing and technology.
Sophie
Optometrist
Sophie joined Thompson & Hardwick in 2021 and has rapidly developed her clinical expertise as a qualified optometrist. Alongside her work at the practice, Sophie contributes to the paediatrics department at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, supporting children with visual rehabilitation — experience that directly informs her approach to children's eye care at our Lytham practice.
Sophie has a particular interest in paediatric optometry and works closely with our myopia management programme, helping families understand and manage childhood short-sightedness at an early stage.
When she's not in practice or at the hospital, Sophie can usually be found planning her next adventure — she's a passionate wild camper and outdoor explorer.
Podiatrist Director
Louise is a highly experienced podiatrist with 26 years of clinical practice and has run her own podiatry business for 20 years. She brings a level of expertise and continuity of care that is rarely found in community health settings, and her long-standing patient relationships speak to both her skill and her warmth.
Louise specialises in the full scope of podiatry — from routine foot care and nail conditions to biomechanical assessments and the management of complex foot problems. Her background as a practitioner-owner means she approaches every patient with both clinical rigour and genuine personal care.
Outside work, Louise is a devoted mum who loves spending time with her family.
Louise
Audiologist
Dave is our resident audiologist, providing specialist hearing care from within the practice. He offers comprehensive hearing assessments, fitting and management of state-of-the-art hearing devices, tinnitus management, and ear wax removal — making Thompson & Hardwick one of the few practices on the Fylde Coast to offer both expert eye care and hearing care under one roof.
Dave's approach is patient-centred and unhurried, taking time to understand each patient's hearing needs and lifestyle before recommending solutions. Whether you're noticing the first signs of hearing loss or managing an existing condition, Dave provides the kind of specialist care that is rarely available outside a dedicated audiology clinic.
Outside work, Dave enjoys holidays with his wife and daughter and follows the big race meetings with great enthusiasm.
Dave
Meet the team
About Thompson & Hardwick
Independent Optometrists in Lytham Since 1994
At Thompson & Hardwick Optometrists, we are proud to be an independent optician and optometrist based in the heart of Lytham.
Since 1994, our passion has been improving the quality of life for our clients through exceptional eye care. As pioneers in advanced technology, we were the first on the Fylde coast to introduce OCT 3D retinal scanning back in 2008! We continue to lead with innovative services like glaucoma screening, anterior segment photography and emergency eyecare.
Our team also specialises in independent prescribing, ensuring timely and effective treatment for urgent eye conditions. We offer bespoke contact lens fitting services tailored to your unique needs, alongside a range of sustainable designer eyewear. With strong partnerships in community health, Blackpool Victoria Hospital, and SpaMedica, we are committed to delivering comprehensive and professional care.
At Thompson & Hardwick, your vision is our focus.